27 Bible Verses about Opportunities, And Salvation
Most Relevant Verses
At that time appeared John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, "Repent ye: for the kingdom of the Messiah draws nigh."
God sent forth his own son born of a woman, and subject to the law, to redeem those,
"the time, said he, is accomplish'd, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
for at the appointed time Christ died for us, when we were in a helpless, sinful state.
afterwards Samuel and all that prophesied after him, have likewise foretold these times. ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, when he said to Abraham, "all the families of the earth shall be blessed in your posterity." it is to you that God first of all sent his son Jesus, having raised him up to bless you, provided you all renounce your iniquities.
God has been pleas'd to over-look this state of ignorance: but now he enjoins all men every where to repent:
for considering, as I pass'd along, the deitys, which you adore, I met with an altar that had this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. now that GOD whom you worship without knowing him, is the same that I denounce to you.
or do you despise the riches of his kindness, and forbearance, and long-suffering; not considering that the kindness of God invites you to repentance?
But there is one thing, my brethren, you ought to be appriz'd of, which is this, that "with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." the Lord does not delay the accomplishment of his promise, as some do imagine. but he waits with patience upon our account, as being unwilling that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
for he saith, " I have heard thee in a favourable time, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee." now this is the favourable time; this is that day of salvation.
he pointed out another time in the words, which were spoken by David, a long time after their going into Canaan, in the passage just now quoted, "today since ye hear his voice, harden not your hearts."
he also having a sharp sickle. and another angel came out from the altar, who presided over the fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, "stretch out thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are full ripe."
"fear the Lord, and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come: adore therefore him that made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and the fountains."
Invested then with such a commission, I beseech you let not the offers of divine favour be made to you in vain. for he saith, " I have heard thee in a favourable time, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee." now this is the favourable time; this is that day of salvation.
Whereas 'tis we who have believed that shall enter into rest, as he said, "wherefore I have sworn in my wrath, that they shall not enter into my rest." which is different from that rest, at the beginning of the world, when the work of creation was finished.
if they should not receive you, nor mind your instructions: when ye depart out of that house, or city, shake off the pagan dust from your feet.
wherever they shall refuse to entertain you, or to hear you, at your departure shake off the dust of your feet, as a testimonial against them. I assure you, the people of Sodom and Gomorrha shall be treated with less severity in the day of judgment, than that city.
if any refuse to entertain you, when you leave that city, shake off the dust from your feet, as a sign of their being abandon'd.
as he drew nigh, he beheld the city, and bewail'd its fate, in these words, "O that thou hadst consider'd, at least in this very day, the opportunity you had of being happy! but now alas! it is vanish'd from your eyes."
but Paul and Barnabas told them boldly, you indeed were the first, to whom the word of God was to be preach'd: but since you reject it, and judge your own selves unworthy of eternal life, be assur'd, we shall make the same offer to the Gentiles: for thus has the Lord commanded us, "I have appointed you to be a light to the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the remotest parts of the earth." when the Gentiles heard this, they received the word with joy, glorifying the Lord: and as many as were dispos'd to eternal life, believed.read more.
and the word of the Lord spread through the whole country. but the Jews having animated the women of quality of their religion, and the leading men of the city, raised a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and banish'd them from their territorys. so they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and went to Iconium.
so not being able to agree, they retir'd, upon Paul's having told them, that the holy spirit had very justly said to our fathers by the prophet Esaias, "go to this people and say, hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive. for the heart of this people is become gross, their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted and I should heal them."read more.
take notice therefore, that the offers of divine salvation are sent to the Gentiles, and they will receive them.
is it not a common saying, "t'other four months, and then comes harvest?" lift up your eyes now, I say, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
and he said to them, the harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few: intreat therefore the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers into his harvest.
for I have a very fair and promising opportunity given me of propagating the gospel, tho' there are many opposers.
Be prudent in your conduct to those, who are not christians: and make the best of of every opportunity.
adore the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready to show with modesty and respect to every one that asks it, what ground there is for the expectations you have:
